CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
Two PhD scholarships available for projects on Blue Carbon Footprints and the impacts of sediment resuspension for climate change
As part of a new MBIE funded project, 2 funded PhD research projects are available.
The project will provide the necessary measurements, models and tools to assess how seafloor disturbance increases carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and the potential for habitat restoration or changes in fishing practices to limit these emissions.
This project focuses on a key knowledge gap, exploring a potentially significant but ignored component of our carbon budget. Key deliverables from this project will be the development and application of new cost-effective techniques to quantify how resuspension of seafloor sediments decreases natural sequestration, and increases the production and release of, CO2. Models will be developed to estimate the carbon sequestration potential and monetary value of decreasing habitat disturbance and increasing habitat conservation and restoration. Since physical disturbance of the seafloor is globally recognised as a major threat to biodiversity, this research will also fill critical knowledge gaps to inform dramatic improvements in how we value, manage, and conserve our environment.
It is expected that the two PhD students will work collaboratively with each other and the rest of the research team.
One PhD student (lead supervisor Professor Thrush) will look at resuspension potential across a range of environmental conditions. Experience in seafloor ecology, biogeochemistry, experimental design and analysis are an advantage.
The other PhD student (lead supervisor Professor Coco) will adapt and apply coupled diagenetic and sediment resuspension models to scale up carbon mineralisation footprints for different levels of disturbance and gear types. Experience in measuring and modelling sediment dynamics and integrating aspects of the carbon cycle are an advantage.
Both students will work with key stakeholders to develop scenarios assessing sustainability options for a first assessment of the role of seafloor ecosystems in carbon budgeting and climate change mitigation.
Work for the project may involve being based either at the University’s city campus or at Leigh Marine Laboratory.
We are keen to appoint students to the positions as soon as possible, but the positions will stay open until we find the right candidates. To apply for this position potential candidates, need to send a letter of application, an outline of their research proposal (1 page max) and CV to Jaime Rowntree jaime.rowntree@auckland.ac.nz.
Background information on the Institute of Marine Science and life at The University of Auckland can be found at:
www.marine.auckland.ac.nz/en.html
www.science.auckland.ac.nz/phd
www.postgraduate.ac.nz
www.international.auckland.ac.nz